Range Rover

Nissan has releases pricing and details for the 2013 NV200, which will debut at the Chicago Auto Show. later this month. The 2013 NV200 is cheaper and much smaller than the Titan-based NV2500 and NV3500 commercial vans that entered the U.S. market over a year ago. The entry-level NV200 S will be priced from $19,990 while the better equipped NV200 SV will retail for $20,980.

The NV200 is already available in more than 40 countries, and is being brought to the U.S. with small-business owners in mind. The van interior offers a “mobile office” with a folding passenger seat that turns into a worktable. It can haul up to 1,500 pounds.

The combination of a 115.2-inch wheelbase with a 186.3-inch overall length, along with a compact drivetrain and rear suspension, provides an 82.8-inch cargo length, 54.8-inch cargo width (48.0 inches between the wheelwells) and 53.0-inch cargo area height. Along with its low cargo floor height (19.5 inches) and tall roofline, the NV200 a large cargo capacity of 122.7 cubic feet.

Under the NV200's short hood sits a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder producing 131 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, which is good for 24 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, matching the combined 24-mpg rating of the Transit Connect. The only transmission available is Nissan's Xtronic CVT, and the NV200 comes with 15-inch steel wheels, front disc and rear drum brakes, and rear leaf springs.

Nissan is offering the NV200 in two trim levels—S and SV—and both will be quite affordable, if sparsely equipped. There are several options, including cruise control ($200); back-door privacy glass ($190); Bluetooth connectivity ($250); an Exterior Appearance package ($190), which paints the bumpers, doorhandles, and mirrors body color; and a Technology package ($950), which includes navigation, Nissan’s RearView camera, satellite radio, and a 5.8-inch touch screen.




Press Release

2013 Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo Van Joins Innovative Nissan Commercial Vehicle Lineup

• Nissan enters emerging North American compact cargo van segment with bold new "right size" NV200 design

• Offers efficient packaging with a large 122.7 cubic foot cargo space within a small overall exterior footprint

• Combines innovative ease-of-use features and smart design while minimizing cost of ownership - including the lowest starting MSRP* in segment of $19,990 USD and best-in-class** 24 mpg combined fuel economy (City / Highway)

• On sale April 2013 at 300-plus Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers nationwide

CHICAGO - The all-new 2013 Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo Van adds a new dimension to the Nissan Commercial Vehicle lineup - compact. More than 4.5 feet shorter in length and 2.5 feet lower in height compared to the Nissan NV 2500/3500 High Roof Cargo Van, the new NV200 is designed to be the "right size" for a growing number of small business owners and fleet operators wanting smaller, more efficient work vans. It is also ideal for business owners coming from passenger vehicles, thanks to the NV200's cargo size optimization and functionality.

Joe Castelli, vice president, Nissan Commercial Vehicles and Fleet said: "For many years businesses have bought large vans simply because that's what was available. The 2013 Nissan NV200 offers a great new alternative - a commercial quality vehicle that optimizes cargo space while offering the best possible fuel economy and an affordable price. We"re now able to offer vehicles for nearly every business need, the compact NV200, the full-size NV 1500/2500/3500 Cargo Standard Roof, the 4-row/12-person NV 3500 Passenger and the extra-large NV 2500/3500 Cargo High Roof."

Maximizing Cargo Efficiency
Built on Nissan's proven compact commercial platform, the NV200 offers high cargo volume capacity in a small exterior package. Unique for North America, the NV200 body has been extended 7.9 inches versus the models sold in other global markets.

This longer body length offers additional cargo carrying capability for North American customers.

The combination of a 115.2-inch wheelbase with a 186.3-inch overall length, along with a compact drivetrain and rear suspension, provides an 82.8-inch cargo length, 54.8-inch cargo width (48.0 inches between the wheelwells) and 53.0-inch cargo area height. Along with its low cargo floor height (19.5 inches) and tall roofline, the NV200 a large cargo capacity of 122.7 cubic feet. Payload is estimated at 1,500 pounds (S model).

Said Castelli: "As the next 'innovation for business," the new NV200 is designed to be highly maneuverable in traffic or when negotiating city parking spaces, with a 36.7-foot curb-to-curb turning diameter. Yet it is every inch a business workhorse with its wide-opening doors and its ability to carry standard U.S. 40x48-inch pallets enhancing its exceptional utility."

The tall rear French doors are a 40/60-split design, with the 60-percent side on the right (curb) side for easy access from a sidewalk. The 40-percent left side door is shorter, reducing its potential intrusion into the street when open, helping lower the risk of accidents due to passing vehicles. Both rear doors feature dual opening positions of 90º and 180º. The standard sliding side doors are designed for low effort. All doors are solid (no windows) to accommodate advertising or business signage, with available privacy door glass.

Added commercial flexibility is provided by the standard integrated mounting points, which allow installation of racks and shelves without drilling into the sidewalls, and six available floor mounted cargo hooks in the cargo area.

The new NV200's exterior design features a Nissan signature front grille, aerodynamic front-end design and functional cabin design. Other exterior features include halogen headlights, durable black front and rear bumpers and outside mirrors with wide-angle spotter mirrors and available heated function. Body-colored bumpers, door handles and outside mirrors are also offered. A selection of five exterior colors is offered: Blue Onyx, Brilliant Silver, Super Black, Red Brick and Fresh Powder.

A Driver-Focused Cockpit
The driver-focused cockpit includes both comfort and functional features. The driver's seat is mounted in a high "commanding" position that is easy to get in and out of and provides a good view of the road and surrounding environment. The 6-way adjustable seat with manual lumbar and armrest is designed for durability with outboard vinyl wear patches. The passenger's seat is a 4-way adjustable design. Height-adjustable front seat head restraints and front door map pockets are also standard.

The Nissan NV200 offers "Mobile Office" functionality with a center console featuring laptop/hanging file folder storage, pen/pencil tray, CD holder and dual cupholders. Recessed storage areas are provided on the upper instrument panel for folders and documents. In addition, the passenger seat folds down to serve as a worktop or lunch table, or it extends the cargo space for hauling longer items such as pipe or lumber. Passenger seat slide travel is nearly 9.5 inches. The durable 15x13-inch tray built into the seatback can fit most laptops and includes a penholder for use as desk.

Power windows with auto up/down are standard, as is the 12-volt power outlet on the instrument panel. An additional 12-volt power point in rear of center console is also available. There is also a passenger-side underseat storage tray, drive computer, battery saver feature, AM/FM/CD with auxiliary input and two front door mounted speakers.

Available technology includes Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), and RearView Monitor.

The available NissanConnect? with Navigation system includes 5.8-inch touch screen display, Nissan Voice Recognition for audio and navigation, NavTraffic and NavWeather (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), POIs powered by Google®, Google® Send-to-Car, Pandora® radio capability (iPhone® only), Streaming audio via Bluetooth® and Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant.

"Business today runs on technology and the NV200 offers a range of available features including RearView Monitor and our advanced NissanConnect? with Navigation system with Hands-free Text Messaging to help keep drivers connected to the office or home," added Castelli.

Standard safety features include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front occupant head protection, front seat mounted driver and passenger side impact supplemental air bags, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Efficiency and Affordability
The 2013 Nissan NV200 is built on Nissan's proven compact commercial platform and features an efficient 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine rated at 131 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. The engine is matched with a responsive and efficient Xtronic CVT® transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 24 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway and 24 mpg Combined.

The NV200 suspension utilizes independent struts and stabilizer bar in front and a leaf spring design in the rear. Front disc/rear drum brakes with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist are standard, along with electric power-assisted steering and 15-inch steel wheels mounted with 185/60R15 high-load all-season tires.

Two Well-Equipped Models
The 2013 Nissan NV200 is available in two well-equipped models, NV200 S and NV200 SV in a choice of five exterior colors, matched with a gray cloth interior.

In addition to the long list of standard features on the NV200 S, the SV model adds power heated outside mirrors, power door locks with auto-locking feature, remote keyless entry with two key fobs, cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls, additional 12V power point in the rear of the center console, six floor-mounted cargo hooks in the cargo area and full wheel covers.

Several option packages are available, including Back Door Glass Package; Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System; Cruise Control Package; and an Exterior Appearance Package with body-color bumpers, door handles and outside mirrors and chrome grille. The Technology Package includes the NissanConnect? with Navigation system, RearView Monitor and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately).

Said Castelli: "Built into the NV200 from the earliest planning, is low total cost of ownership. The 2013 Nissan NV200 offers a competitive price, excellent fuel efficiency and reduced upfitting costs due to the standard integrated mounting points, all of which will provide business owners with a low total cost of ownership."

A Global Award Winner
While new to North America, the Nissan NV200 compact van is in use in more than 40 countries around the world, receiving acclaim from both users and media alike for its optimal functionality and smart design. It won the 2010 International Van of the Year award in Europe, the 2010 Commercial Delivery Van (CDV) of the Year in China, and the 2011 Universal Design Award from Universal Design GMbH, a German organization dedicated to promoting the convergence of design and the emerging importance of customer needs. NV200 has also established a presence as the strong segment leader in Japan with a wide-ranging lineup that includes a taxi version - and will soon be seen on the streets of New York City as the designated taxi design.

"Our global success provides a great foundation for the North American version, which we know will become an essential tool for business," concluded Castelli.

The new Nissan NV200 will be assembled in Cuernavaca, Mexico and available through a select network of certified Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers nationwide.

For more information on the complete line of Nissan Commercial Vehicles, please go to www.nissancommercialvehicles.com.

BMW has revealed its limited-edition M Sport packages for Australia. Based on the entry-level xDrive 30d diesel, the Limited Edition – priced from $99,900 driveaway – adds more than $15,000 worth of equipment while reducing the on-road price.

The BMW X5 M Sport Limited Edition adds the M Sport exterior body kit, 20” M double spoke Alloy wheels, M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles and chrome tail pipe finisher from the M Sport range.

Inside, the limited-edition X5 M Sport diesel adds Navigation Professional, voice control, a rear-view camera with top view, electric seat adjustment, automatic tailgate, anti-dazzle exterior mirrors and bi-Xenon headlights with washers and High Beam Assist.

The complete kit is based on the entry-level X5 xDrive30d which comes with a 3.0-litre TwinPower turbo-diesel engine producing 180kW of power and 540Nm of torque. As previously tested, the powertrain is capable of 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds.




Press Release

BMW X5 xDrive 30d – $92,100
BMW 5 Series – from $77,900
BMW Z4 – from $76,900

BMW 1 Series Coupe – $48,000
BMW 1 Series Convertible – $53,800

BMW 3 Series Coupe – $70,100
BMW 3 Series Convertible – $83,100

The new Lamborghini Aventador L-P-700-4 Roadster made its world road premiere at the Miami International Airport.

With special permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Miami-Dade County, the 522kW Lamborghini Aventador Roadsters reached speeds of 338km/h, exceeding the runway’s passenger jet take-off speed of between 240-290km/h.

The new Aventador LP 700-4 is powered by a 6.5 liter V12 with 700HP (515 kW) and 690Nm (509 lb-ft). The engine is coupled to a 7-speed ISR gearbox specially supplied by Graziano Trasmissioni Group. The shift time is just 50 milliseconds. The power is put on the road through a Haldex AWD system. 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph).

With the passenger jets that normally use the airport taking off at speeds between 150 and 180 mph, the Aventador Roadster is now the fastest vehicle to have ever driven on the tarmac.




Press Release

Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster High Speed Demonstration on closed Miami International Airport Runway

Miami-Dade County Officials Host First-Ever, High-Speed Demonstration

Miami, Florida, January 28, 2013 – Today at Miami International Airport five new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadsters sped down the south runway of the busiest U.S. airport for international flights. With special authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) and Miami-Dade County the Lamborghinis, for the first time ever, exceeded the passenger airliner takeoff speed on a runway which is between 150 mph and 180 mph. No current jet aircraft reaches 210 mph on the ground, the clocked
speed of the 700-horsepower vehicles during the closed-course drive demonstration.

Prior to the high speed demonstration, the Lamborghinis were joined by an American Airlines Boeing 777 and lined-up for a photo shoot on the runway. Due to integrated planning on behalf of Miami-Dade officials and the FAA, there was no impact on flight arrivals and departures.

Today’s event, the kick-off of a 10-day media launch and dealer education program, began with an unveiling press conference in Lummus Park at Miami Beach. The ceremonies continued with a 50-vehicle parade down Collins Avenue in South Beach before culminating in the runway drive. Lamborghini executives hosting the press conference included Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., as well as Maurizio Reggiani, Director of R&D, Raffaello Porro, Director Communications and External Relations, and Filippo Perini, chief designer.

“It has been a great pleasure to work with the Miami-Dade Aviation
Department and South Beach teams on today’s amazing demonstrations.
I have never seen something similar at a Lamborghini event,” said Stephan
Winkelmann. “The Aventador Roadster is our most exciting production car
ever and I can think of no better place to celebrate its launch than here in
Miami.”

The Aventador Roadster is the newest open-top version of Lamborghini’s
flagship vehicle. With a 700-horsepower, 6.5-liter V12 engine, the Aventador
Roadster reaches 60 mph in less than three seconds and boasts a top speed
of 217 mph. The vehicle’s removable top features high-tech, lightweight
carbon fiber technologies to achieve a low weight of just 26 pounds.

“Lamborghini is a forward-thinking brand, and today’s event on our runway
was an all-around success,” said Ken Pyatt, Miami-Dade Deputy Aviation
Director. “Both our organizations are focused on efficient performance and
providing our customers with innovations.”

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
Founded in 1963, Automobili Lamborghini is headquartered in Sant’Agata Bolognese,
in Northeastern Italy, where it manufactures some of the world’s most coveted
super sports cars. With the introduction of the Aventador LP 700-4 in 2011 and the
debut of the Urus concept SUV at the Beijing International Automobile Exhibition in
2012, Lamborghini has established yet another landmark in the history of luxury
super sports cars. And with more than 120 dealerships worldwide, Automobili
Lamborghini has successfully created an uninterrupted series of extreme, exclusive
super sports cars that include the 350 GT, Miura, Espada, Countach, Diablo,
Murciélago, Reventón Coupé, Reventón Roadster, Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé and
Spyder, and the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera and the open-top LP 570-4 Spyder
Performante.

Dartz unveiled a new Black Snake for the Chinese market, the Dartz Black Snake is actually based on the Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG and the model is the firm’s first non-armored vehicle.

The Black Snake is now the centerpiece of the brand with high performance, all-wheel drive offerings and the usual garnishings of diamond-encrusted hood ornaments.

To make the interior of this car Dartz seems to have sacrificed an entire zoo, as you can order a variety of different leathers including snake, crocodile, ostrich and their all time favorite whale penis!

Power comes from an AMG-supplied 5.5-liter V8 bi-turbo with an output of 557 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque that's linked up with AMG ride control suspension and a seven-speed automatic. All told, it can go from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

Prices for the Dartz Black Snake start at 1,000,000 USD.

Aston Martin has released the first official video for the new 2013 Rapide S.

The new exterior pack adds carbon fiber to six surfaces, including the center section of the new front splitter, all formed and fitted by hand. A jewel-like side-strake machined from aluminum sculpts the side of the car whilst each bonnet louvre is cast individually from high-density zinc.

The new Aston Martin Rapide S receives power from an even stronger engine, the new AM11 V12. The naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 unit is capable of developing great power. To be more precise, the output reaches 550 BHP and 457 lb. ft. of torque. This power enables the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mpg in 4.7 seconds and to reach a top speed of 190 mph. When it comes to European CO2 emissions, the model can reach 332 g/km in comparison to the current model that emits 355 g/km. On a combined cycle, the fuel economy reaches 19.9 mpg.

A new piano black interior pack adds a big dash of the grand to the new Rapide’s interior, with the dark mirror finish featuring across the dashboard facia, transmission tunnel centre plate and door handles. There’s plenty of soft, sculpted leather liberally adorning the four separate seats, as well as a twin screen rear seat entertainment system with wireless headphones, remote control and six-disc DVD changer.




Press Release

Rapide S is the most powerful four-door Aston Martin to date
- Peak output jumps 17% as new 6.0-litre V12 engine produces 558 PS
- More assertive new look emphasises Rapide S’ sports car character

The stunning new Aston Martin Rapide S is making its debut with yet more luxury and yet more power on offer in its quintessentially elegant four-door silhouette.

The iconic British car maker’s new luxury GT has been sympathetically redesigned and painstakingly re-engineered to reassert its position as the world’s most beautiful, and beautifully balanced, four-seat sports car.

Aside from the extensive design and engineering improvements, the luxurious new Rapide S – which replaces the outgoing Rapide in markets worldwide – is now even more refined thanks to a range of additions to the four-seater’s sumptuous interior.

Still instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin, of course, the new Rapide S now boasts an imposing and assertive new ‘face’, created by virtue of the impressive and striking new full grille.

Imbuing the new car with an even more sporting, forceful demeanour, the revised front end design is matched at the back by a striking new rear deck profile which includes a more pronounced boot lid ‘flip’. The aerodynamic and aesthetic upgrades both reinforce the sporting nature of new Rapide S and work to counteract lift at higher speeds.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The Rapide S is to me, without doubt, the most beautiful four-door sports car on the market today. This is, very clearly, the power of luxury in action.

“The car’s stunning visual appeal is now matched by a much more powerful and yet more efficient engine – our exceptional new AM11 V12 – which increases massively both the excitement and performance potential of the Rapide S.

“It is a four-door sports car that uniquely combines luxury, style and sporting excitement in Aston Martin’s most flexible and accommodating silhouette. Purity of proportion and exceptional elegance are mixed with truly sensational dynamic performance – this is the four-door sports car in its most versatile form and I am sure our customers around the world are going to love it!”

Engineered to excel

Changes under the new Rapide’s skin are comprehensive, with a version of the new AM11 naturally-aspirated 6.0-litre V12 powerplant delivering unprecedented power and improved in-gear acceleration.

Power from the new engine jumps significantly versus that of its predecessor: up by 17% or a massive 81 PS from 477 PS at 6,000 rpm to a now very substantial 558 PS at 6,750 rpm.

Peak torque increases, too, up from 600 Nm to 620 Nm at 5,000 rpm. Meanwhile an even more marked improvement in torque occurs lower down the rev range, as pulling power rises by more than 40 Nm between idle and 4,000 rpm with an additional 50 Nm available at 2,500 rpm.

Naturally, increases in power and torque lead to even swifter performance as befits a four-door sports car. New Rapide S shaves 0.3 seconds off its 0-62 mph time, which drops from the 5.2 seconds of the current car to just 4.9 seconds for the new model. Top speed climbs, meanwhile, to 190 mph.

The 5,935 cc naturally aspirated V12 boasts race car technology – developments derived directly from Aston Martin Racing’s successful WEC GT campaign – to maximise both performance and efficiency. The new AM11 engine thus boasts fully CNC machined combustion chambers and lighter, hollow, cam shafts.

Dual variable camshaft timing, knock sensing, even the fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system – these are all engineering advances developed to preserve the V12’s position as a mainstay of the Aston Martin range.

The engine is now even more efficient, too. Despite the very significant increase in peak power and torque, the Rapide S is appreciably more economical than before. CO2 emissions drop by seven per cent – from 355 g/km to 332 g/km – while fuel economy now stands at 19.9 mpg on the official EU combined cycle.

A product of the latest generation of Aston Martin’s world-renowned VH engineering philosophy, which debuted in 2003, the new car of course benefits from many elements of the current Gen4 VH architecture.

The carefully conceived engineering changes continue as the new Rapide now offers even sharper agility and even quicker responses to driver input. The new AM11 engine – a key Gen4 component – has been lowered by 19 mm versus the position of the powerplant in the previous car, with a corresponding reduction in the sports car’s centre of gravity.

The changes also lead to a tangible improvement in front end turn-in – no mean feat for a car that was already acknowledged as a leader in dynamic performance.

Aston Martin engineers at the company’s global HQ in Gaydon have worked to revise the car’s dynamic stability control (DSC) in line with its significant increases in both power and torque.

As befits the more sporting nature of new Rapide S the car benefits from the latest Gen4 iteration of Aston Martin’s hi-tech Adaptive Damping System (ADS). The system now offers three distinct settings: ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’, with the character of each being tailored to the nature of Rapide S.

The ADS automatically alters the suspension settings to ensure the driver has high levels of control at all times, with the ability to respond quickly to different driving conditions. The different damping modes help to significantly broaden the character of the Rapide S, adapting its set-up to suit the driver’s precise requirements. Thus it can be a luxurious GT car in Normal mode with the capacity to morph into a more assertive sports car in Sport and Track modes.

The damper settings are determined by an electronic control unit which takes sensor readings from the car’s systems, including throttle position, brake position, steering wheel rotation and vehicle speed. This data establishes the prevailing driving conditions and the demands the driver is making on the car.

Head of Product Development at Aston Martin, Ian Minards, explains: “Growing the power in a luxury sports car is all very well, but maximising control and ‘usability’ of that increased power is, just as much, the engineers’ challenge.

“Balance, poise and control are the keys to a successful sports car and the dynamic improvements we have made with Rapide S showcase our efforts to make this not just the most beautiful, but also the most beautifully balanced, car in its class.”

He added: “Transmission calibration, ADS refinement, braking capability and engine output optimisation are among the many ‘ingredients’ which the team here at Gaydon have used to create a sports car of unerring quality and excitement.”

Meanwhile, as with the new DB9, the new Rapide S achieves compliance with the latest European pedestrian protection regulations courtesy of its innovative new front grille design.

The lowered engine, new bonnet, new front bumper construction and new grille combine to deliver a uniquely innovative approach to pedestrian impact protection.

The patent-pending design – which features a unique ‘keystone’ construction – enables the grille to move rearwards on impact, whilst the central and outboard chin stiffeners give rigidity to the lower structure and support achievement of the leg impact regulations. Cut-outs on the front wing catwalks contribute to the achievement of the headform regulation.

The solution means Aston Martin can remain true to its design ethos, and avoid the use of plastic grilles and nose cone bumpers that stretch up in front of the bonnet.

First class cabin

As luxurious as it is thrilling, the new car now boasts a host of new luxury- or sports-orientated options, allowing buyers to more precisely tailor the car to their specific style.

The new optional Carbon Exterior Pack, for instance, immediately dials up the Rapide’s sporting attitude. Front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror caps and rear lamp infills all fashioned from carbon fibre clearly signal the sporting nature of this 558 PS four-seater.

More pronounced luxury, on the other hand, comes from the new piano black interior pack that adds a deep, rich, mirror-like shine to the facia, transmission tunnel centre plate and door handles of the Rapide S. A darker surround in the instrument binnacle and steering wheel with black horn-push surround round off the pack’s sumptuous additions. Luxurious blend headlinings in either tan or grey emphasise the luxury still further inside.

As would be expected of a modern Aston Martin, handcrafting is the order of the day in the Rapide S with the standard-fit pure glass transmission selector switches in the centre console one small yet important example of the truly authentic, bespoke, nature of the car’s cabin.

However those with a desire for a more sporting ambience in their sports car will not be disappointed. Optional duotone perforated red and black leather makes its Aston Martin debut here – delivering a captivating visual combination that’s unique to the new Rapide S.

Luxury is enhanced by the removal of extraneous ‘noise’ and the enhancement of desirable ‘sound’ – a fine distinction but one that helps the new car deliver an aural experience like no other. Improved NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) characteristics are derived from the likes of the new bonnet lining and revised windscreen cowl.

Flexibility comes in the form of four seats – the rearmost two capable of accommodating adults in a uniquely sporting setting – while at the touch of a button the individual back seats fold down to almost triple the Aston Martin’s load space.

Options to further enhance the luxurious look and feel of the Rapide S include, subject to market, a reversing camera and twin screen rear seat entertainment system with wireless headphones, remote control and six-disc DVD changer.

Those seeking the ultimate in luxury and personalisation can also consider the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ service which offers uniquely-tailored options for individualisation. The Q service focuses on fashioning colour and materials with limitless boundaries precisely to customer choice and specification, enabling owners to give free rein to the creativity and indulge their desire for bespoke luxury.

The new Aston Martin Rapide S will be available to order through the brand’s 146 dealers worldwide next month with prices confirmed closer to the on-sale date.

Subaru released official pricing for that its all-new 2014 Forester. The new Forester made its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles auto show back in November. But we had the opportunity to drive a pre-production model at Subaru's test facility before the show.

Standard all-wheel drive returns for 2014. Powering the base Forester is last year's 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder teamed to a six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission. Subaru estimates the 2.5-liter should see 24/32 mpg city/ highway, up from the 2013 model's EPA rating of 21/27 mpg. The automaker says the new compact leads the segment in all-wheel-drive fuel economy.

When the 2014 Subaru Forester goes on sale in the spring, a base 2.5i model will start at $22,820 – up $730 from the previous model’s $22,090 base price. Prices range all the way up to $33,820 for the top-line turbocharged Forester 2.0XT Touring model.







Press Release

SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR ALL-NEW 2014 FORESTER

- Pricing for the popular Subaru Forester starts at $21,995
- All-wheel drive Forester priced below competitive front-wheel drive vehicles
- 2014 Forester also available with new Subaru Eyesight and STARLINK technology

Cherry Hill, N.J., - Subaru of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the all-new 2014 Forester. The 2014 Forester 2.5i model will be available in base, Premium, Limited and top-line Touring versions. Pricing for the Forester begins at $21,995 for the base model 2.5i with a six-speed manual transmission. The turbocharged Forester 2.0XT will be offered in the Premium and Touring versions, with the Premium trim offered at $27,995. These prices all reflect MSRP before the $825 destination charge.

As with all previous Forester models, the 2014 version comes standard with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a distinction from competitive models that come with front-wheel drive as standard and offer all-wheel drive as an extra-cost option. The 2014 Forester will lead the segment in all-wheel drive fuel economy, with the 2.5i model achieving manufacturer's fuel economy estimates of 24 mpg city / 32 mpg highway / 27 mpg combined. Those figures also compare well with competitors that feature front-wheel drive.

The all-new 2014 Forester is available with Subaru Eyesight driver assistance system and all-new STARLINK cabin technology. High-line 2014 Forester models equipped with the CVT also feature new Hill Descent Control and a new X-Mode control feature, which provides extra control in certain driving conditions. Other new amenities and conveniences include rear vision camera, color multi-function display, power rear gate with automatic close and Keyless Access and Start. The available navigation system features smartphone integration with the driver-friendly Aha® audio application. The top-line Touring models come standard with a navigation system and 440-watt harman/kardon® audio system.

The new Subaru Forester will build on the sales success of the previous generation, which helped the Subaru brand to achieve four consecutive annual sales records. The 2014 Forester is expected to sell in even greater numbers than the outgoing model.

Rolls-Royce has introduced the new Ghost special edition, called the Firnas Motif.

The first is inspired by the investor Abbas Ibn Firnas, while original visionary was Khadim Al Helli of Abu Dhabi Motors. It is painted in white and blue color and inside follows the same philosophy of white lined with blue stitching and wood trim.

Like the standard model, the Ghost Firnas Motif is powered by a turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine that develops 563 bhp (420 kW) and 780 Nm (575 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission which enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds) and hit an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

The unique Ghost has a two-tone exterior with a flight motif on the coachline, while inside the cabin, the Firnas Logo appears on the headrests, sill plates and dashboard. There's also a personalized tread plate with the wings design and personalised message: "Firnas motif - one of five".